Time for Action on Racism in Sport

On November 6 2024, The Yorkshire and Humber Anti-Racism in Sport Group  partnered with Yorkshire County Cricket Club (YCCC) to host a conference on combatting racism in sport. 

The conference, hosted by YCCC at Headingley, brought together leading organisations across the county and industry experts from sports and policy to discuss the prevalence of racism in sport as well as the role sport can play in combatting racism in the game and wider society. 

Also in attendance at the conference were delegates from local government, education, healthcare, and religious sectors to provide further context and perspective from society more widely.

The Yorkshire and Humber Anti-Racism in Sport Group includes Sport England’s regional active partnerships Active Humber, North Yorkshire Sport and Yorkshire Sport Foundation, and representatives from sport and physical activity. 

The ‘Time for Action on Racism in Sport’ conference featured a number of keynote speakers, presentations and a panel discussion covering many different key areas concerning racism in sport.  

Chris Grant OBE, one of the UK’s leading facilitators of organisational change and former CEO of Sported, was the first keynote, and covered diverse workplaces and the importance of removing barriers.  

The first club presentation was from Claire Graham and Wan Abdullah from the inspirational Holbeck Moor Football Club - who outlined the extraordinary story of how the Club has become the UK’s first Women’s Club of Sanctuary.  

Following this Bashir Siraj, Said Mir and Ayosola Odunsi from Welcome House Hull spoke about how the charity is dedicated to helping Hull continue to grow as a recognised place of welcome and safety for people seeking sanctuary.  

There were also a number of break out discussions covering many different key areas concerning racism and sport including acknowledgment about what people are experiencing and feeling, how to identify and deal with barriers and blockers and steps to building a culture that lets fairness thrive.  

The penultimate presentation, led by the Islamophobia Awareness campaign, who highlighted the importance of Islamophobia Awareness Month in the UK, this month, which is all about making people aware of discrimination against Muslim people and the Islamic faith.  

This was followed by an insightful panel discussion covering some of the practical steps individuals, leaders and organisations can take in supporting equity, diversity and inclusion and being anti-racist.  

The final presentation was from education professional and football referee Wayne Niles. Wayne spoke about his lived experience in football and the work he has done to support young people in sport.  

Organisations were encouraged to sign the Yorkshire and Humber Anti-Racism in Sport Group’s pledge – the Commitment to tackling Racism and racial inequality in community sport. 

The pledge has so far been signed by more than 150 organisations across Yorkshire and the Humber.